Comelec eyes voting simulation in preparations for 2022 polls

Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is planning to conduct a voter simulation in preparation for the 2022 elections, its director Teopisto Elnas said on Thursday.

During the joint congressional oversight committee on the automated election system’s hearing, Elnas said they are coordinating with concerned individuals to scout for polling centers to ensure health protocols during elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The poll body is looking into multipurpose buildings and covered courts, among other possible places that could be utilized as polling centers, to accommodate more voters.

“We’re trying to simulate also ‘yung system na dalawang classroom for one clustered precinct hahatiin which pwedeng magsabay-sabay na boboto and papasok na lang sa classroom wherein nand’on ise-set up ang voting machine natin,” Elnas shared.

(We’re trying to simulate also the system where two classrooms are used as one clustered precinct so voters could simultaneously vote and enter the classroom where voting machines are.)

“One classroom, two classrooms, and of course mayroon tayong situation din na mayroong waiting area. Para makikita natin lahat kung ano talaga ang effective. Then, i-a-adjust natin the realities d’on sa ground mismo,” he added.

(One classroom, two classrooms, and of course, we have a situation wherein there’s a waiting area. So we could assess what would be effective. Then, we’ll adjust the realities to the ground.)

Elnas has not disclosed any dates when the simulation would be but shared other details on the plan.

“We’re targeting at Dasmariñas City, Zone 1, Poblacion and Zone 3, Poblacion and that will include four clustered precincts. So, idi-discuss namin ‘yun bukas (we’ll discuss it tomorrow) to come up with an operational plan, of course, with the approval of Commissioner Casquejo as the head of the steering committee, the final version of the operational plan,” the director said.

“And after that, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yung preparation and we will be announcing the specific date na ico-conduct namin ‘yung simulation of voting,” he went on.

(After that, the preparation will be ongoing, and we will be announcing the specific date when the voting simulation will be conducted.)

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